RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is used across many sectors, including retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics, to track assets, manage inventories, and provide real-time status and location updates. There are two types of RFID technology: active RFID and passive RFID.
How do these differ? When should each be used? Is passive or active RFID the right choice for your application? Here, we’ll explore the difference between active RFID and passive RFID to help you find the right solutions for your organization.
What is Active RFID?
Active RFID is a type of technology commonly used for asset tracking. It operates via battery power and can be used to read the location and status of objects fitted with active RFID tags across a distance of up to 150 meters, provided an ultra-high frequency (UHF) reader is used. Active RFID tags broadcast a constant signal, allowing objects to be identified at long range at any time. These tags are typically classed as either transponders or beacons.
How Do Active RFID Tags Work?
Active RFID tags feature a battery that transmits a radio signal; an RFID reader can pick up this signal across a distance of over 100 meters in some cases. This type of RFID system typically operates at two frequencies: 433 MHz and 2.45 GHz.
Active RFID tags continuously communicate their location or status to the RFID reader, which is beneficial for real-time asset tracking in large-scale or fast-paced environments, such as an expansive warehouse.
What is Passive RFID?
Passive RFID technology doesn’t use batteries, which is the fundamental difference between active and passive RFID tags. Instead, passive RFID relies on radio frequency waves emitted by an RFID reader within close range. The energy that these signals generate can then be used to scan passive RFID tags and send key information back to the RFID reader.
Because passive RFID requires no battery, it can be a significantly more affordable option than active RFID. However, passive RFID isn’t suitable for every application, so it’s also important to consider other factors when weighing up passive vs active RFID.
How Do Passive RFID Tags Work?
In contrast to active RFID tags, passive RFID tags do not have an internal power source; instead, they rely on proximity to an RFID reader and antenna to function.
Passive RFID tags lie dormant until they begin to receive a signal from the RFID reader. The transmitted radio frequency waves will activate the passive tag, generating a signal that communicates with the RFID system.
Passive RFID tags must be within close range of the RFID reader to pick up signals; this can be up to 15 or even 20 meters for UHF readers but could be just a few meters otherwise. This range means that passive RFID isn’t the best choice for larger-scale environments and applications unless the tag remains in close range of the RFID.
What’s the Difference Between Active and Passive RFID Tags?
The key difference between active and passive RFID tags lies in the way they communicate with an RFID reader. Still, there are several other factors to consider when choosing between active and passive RFID for your application, including cost, tag size, and lifespan.
| Active RFID | Passive RFID | |
| Read Range | Up to 100 meters+ | Just a few meters – only suitable for close-range applications |
| Frequency | From 433 MHz | From 125 KHz |
| Power Source | Internal battery | Relies on radio frequency waves transmitted by an RFID reader |
| Size | Typically a few inches wide, similar in size to a credit card, but slightly thicker | Just a few millimeters wide and long |
| Applications | Real-time asset location tracking, including for assets moving at speed, such as vehicles and baggage | Inventory management, asset tracking, access control |
| Industries | Transport and logistics, automotive, warehouse management, retail | Healthcare, retail, manufacturing, supply chain management |
| Lifespan | Batteries require replacing every few years | Up to 20 years |
| Cost | Higher cost than passive RFID tags | More affordable than active RFID, due to the absence of a battery and subsequent longer lifespan |
When is Active RFID the Right Choice?
Active RFID tags can handle ultra-high frequency transmissions and operate at long range, so they are suitable for applications including:
- Asset tracking at long-range
- Real-time location tracking
- Warehouse management
- RFID vehicle tracking
- Airport baggage tracking
When is Passive RFID the Best Choice?
Passive RFID requires closer proximity to an RFID reader than active RFID, so it’s best suited to close-range applications, such as:
- Retail asset tracking
- Retail inventory management
- Warehouse inventory management
- Medical inventory management
- Access control, for example in hospital environments to support security
- Supply chain tracking
- Race timing, for tracking athletes during events such as marathons
Custom RFID solutions by JADAK
Whether you’re using passive or active RFID tags, JADAK’s industry-leading ThingMagic® RFID readers can be designed to meet your application’s requirements. Our custom engineering solutions include UHF readers that can be used with active RFID tags at long range, as well as readers suitable for use with passive RFID tags.
Our experts will collaborate with your in-house engineers to develop tailored active and passive RFID solutions that work for you. Contact us today to find out more about our RFID readers, or to learn more about the difference between active and passive RFID tags.
